NBC: Ohio 'Slipping Away' From Romney After 'Damage From That 47% Comment'

Leading off Wednesday's NBC Nightly News, fill-in anchor
Savannah Guthrie declared the presidential race in one key battleground
state all but over: "Tonight, both candidates are in Ohio as a spate of
new polls shows the all-important bellwether may be slipping away for the Republican challenger."

In the report that followed, correspondent Ron Allen reiterated that
"new polls show Ohio slipping away" from Romney and quickly asserted the
cause: "Romney down by ten points in a new poll out this morning, and
nearly that in another recent poll, after that video of Romney talking disparagingly about the 47% who pay no income tax."

After
touting difficulties for Romney, Allen piled on with attacks from
Obama: "..his problem is that President Obama is here, too....and not
letting anyone forget that other number, 47%." A sound bite played of
Obama proclaiming: "I don't believe we can get very far with leaders who
write off half the nation as a bunch of victims who never take
responsibility for their own lives."

Wrapping up the segment, Allen parroted White House talking points on
Ohio's economy: "...the President has been reminding voters here that
the economy in this state is improving and that unemployment is below
the national average, he says, because of policies like the auto
industry bailout. More reasons why this could be a tough state for Mitt
Romney."

Allen didn't bother to offer the alternative explanation that the
policies of Republican Governor John Kasich led to the economic
improvement.

On Thursday's Today, Guthrie introduced another campaign report by
announcing: "Romney looks to repair the damage from that 47% comment
that was recorded at a fundraiser."

Correspondent Peter Alexander noted Romney's effort "to show empathy
and soften his image" while "President Obama is furiously working to
frame his opponent as out of touch. Again, keying in on Romney's
comments seemingly dismissing 47% of Americans who pay no income tax."

Like Allen, Alexander eagerly touted Obama lines of attack: "At Kent
State University, President Obama even tried to turn a stumble into a
stinging critique." In the sound bite that followed, the President
jabbed: "I want to see us export more jobs, export more products, excuse
me. I was – I was channeling my opponent there for a second."

Alexander concluded the report by emphasizing the importance of the
poll numbers, despite being several weeks before the election: "Where
they are right now does begin to matter. Beginning today, as many as 30
states are already voting with absentee or early voting. Iowa, the
latest state to vote, early voting there begins today."

Here is a full transcript of Allen's September 26 Nightly News report:

7:00PM ET TEASE:

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Battleground Ohio. The candidates storm the crucial
swing state as polls show one of them getting a commanding lead.

7:01PM ET SEGMENT:

GUTHRIE:
There are few things that are guaranteed in presidential elections, but
one thing is almost always certain, every four years, the state of Ohio
will be a battleground, hotly contested for its trove of electoral
votes and the way it has of so often picking the victor. Tonight, both
candidates are in Ohio as a spate of new polls shows the all-important
bellwether may be slipping away for the Republican challenger. NBC's Ron
Allen is on the campaign trail tonight. Ron, good evening to you.

RON ALLEN: Good evening to you, Savannah. Yes, Mitt Romney just wrapped
up an event here, it was his third of the day. He's been really trying
to pick up the pace, and he's been spending more time here in Ohio than
any other state. At every campaign stop, Mitt Romney has hit the same
theme: "I care about you."

MITT ROMNEY: These are tough times, even for families with jobs. I know
what it takes to get this economy going again. I care about the people
of America.

ALLEN: As new polls show Ohio slipping away. Romney down by ten points
in a new poll out this morning, and nearly that in another recent poll,
after that video of Romney talking disparagingly about the 47% who pay
no income tax. Today, from Romney, more compassion in a new minute-long
TV ad.

ROMNEY: President Obama and I both care about poor and middle class
families. The difference is, my policies will make things better for
them.

ALLEN: Romney's problem is historic, no Republican has won the White
House without winning Ohio. Romney sounded optimistic today in an
interview with NBC News. Can you win without winning Ohio?

ROMNEY: I'm going to win Ohio, I'm going to become the next president,
in part because I'm going to have support of people in Ohio.

ALLEN: But his problem is that President Obama is here, too. Today,
again, his 29th visit since taking office, and not letting anyone forget
that other number, 47%.

BARACK OBAMA: I don't believe we can get very far with leaders who
write off half the nation as a bunch of victims who never take
responsibility for their own lives.

ALLEN: The President made two stops today at college campuses, rallying
young supporters. Such a crucial day, both men took the stage at
virtually the same moment this afternoon, and almost crossed paths as
the President headed to Kent State, and Romney to Toledo, with the clock
ticking.

OBAMA: If you're already registered, you can start voting in six days.
And this is important because you've got a big choice to make.

ALLEN: Romney got support today from Ohio native and golfing legend
Jack Nicklaus. And with a debt clock behind him showing more than $16
trillion, Romney zeroed in on an issue he thinks he can exploit.

ROMNEY: In my opinion, it is immoral for us to pass on obligations like that to the next generation.

ALLEN: For his part, the President has been reminding voters here that
the economy in this state is improving and that unemployment is below
the national average, he says, because of policies like the auto
industry bailout. More reasons why this could be a tough state for Mitt
Romney. Savannah.

GUTHRIE: Alright, Ron Allen in Toledo, Ohio tonight, thank you.

-- Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.

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